5 Myths About Chiropractic Care You Need to Stop Believing

If you’ve been putting off booking your first visit to a chiropractor, you’re not alone. Recent surveys reveal that almost 40% of UK adults are avoiding chiropractic care because of fears and misconceptions about safety and effectiveness. Unfortunately, these myths prevent many people from accessing care which could really bring about a positive change in their lives. 

Fact from fiction, let’s tackle the five most common myths about chiropractic treatment.

This is perhaps the most harmful myth of all. The truth? Chiropractic care is incredibly safe when performed by a trained professional. Data from the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) reveals serious adverse events are extremely rare. In fact, you’re more likely to experience complications from over-the-counter pain medications than from a chiropractic adjustment. 

In the UK all practicing chiropractors must be registered with the GCC, which sets very high standards of education. Basically, when you go to a registered chiropractic clinic, you are being treated by a highly educated healthcare professional.

A lot of people are afraid that if they start going to the chiropractor, they'll have to go forever. Not true. Chiropractic is completely optional. If you're in pain and you want it fixed, we can help you with that! If you simply want some guidance on improving your posture and remaining healthy, we'd be happy to provide support. Ultimately, the decision is yours.

You are always in control of your health care decisions. Some patients decide to continue with maintenance care but there is no obligation to do so if you are not comfortable. A good chiropractor will give you the choice and make plans for you that fit both your needs and lifestyle.

While it’s true that chiropractic care is a great way to treat back pain, that’s not the only condition it can help with. A professional chiropractic service will be able to provide relief for conditions including but not limited to neck pain, headaches, migraines, sports injuries, sciatica and joint pain.

Chiropractic care is holistic. Chiropractors understand that the health of your spine can impact the health of your entire musculoskeletal system. Most chiropractors also include exercise, lifestyle changes and ergonomic advice as part of the overall treatment plan to maintain optimum health and well-being.

It's easy to see how someone might think this, but it undermines the incredibly high level of training that chiropractors go through. In the UK, chiropractic degree programmes are four to five years long and include in-depth study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, radiology and clinical diagnosis. Students will also have completed several thousand hours of supervised clinical practice before qualifying.

The GCC regulates chiropractic as a protected title in the UK, so only those that are appropriately qualified can call themselves Chiropractors. Some NHS services actually provide chiropractic care – further evidence of how much more recognized chiropractic is becoming by mainstream healthcare.

Critics frequently contend that chiropractic is void of scientific validation, but this is actually a misconception. There are countless peer-reviewed articles addressing the benefits of chiropractic treatment for a variety of conditions particularly those involving spine health and even more and more high-quality research is being published all the time. In fact, the U.K.'s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently updated its guidelines to include spinal manipulation as one way to manage low back pain. 

Research continues to prove what millions of satisfied chiropractic patients already know: chiropractic works! Chiropractic is safe and effective.Millions of patients worldwide have experienced the life changing benefits of chiropractic care as a result of the exceptional clinical results.

Don’t let the myths you may have heard about chiropractic care stop you from seeking a treatment option that could greatly benefit your life. When you have the right information, you can make educated decisions regarding whether or not chiropractic care is something that would be beneficial for your situation.

If you have a problem with your muscles, joints or nerves then you should consult with a GCC registered chiropractor. Chiropractic is a safe and effective treatment which has an ever expanding base of scientific evidence supporting it. We’d love to help you feel better so take a look around the website.

Typically, a chiropractic treatment session can last anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes. The length of time will depend on the type of therapy you are receiving, as well as the specific needs of your body.

A: Sessions last between 15-30 minutes. Initial consultations are 45-60 minutes as we make a full assessment and health history.

A: Most patients feel little to no pain. Mild soreness may occur afterwards but typically resolves within 24 hours.